Letters: February 6, 2012

Doing the right thing
Congratulations Jalal Bin Thaneya (‘Experience has changed me, Bin Thaneya says’, Gulf News, February 1). Success will come your way if your intentions are for people with special needs. You also encouraged people to donate to charity and charity in Islam is one of the five pillars. I appreciate your effort to walk from the UAE to Makkah in order to raise funds for the Dubai Centre for Special Needs.
From Mr Syed Ebrahim
Dubai

One of the greats
Congratulations brother for completing your mission and for having love for people with special needs. Honestly, I have no words sufficient to praise you. I have been reading about you throughout your noble mission. You are an example of love for others and a hope for people with special needs. All I can say is may God bless you. You are one of the greatest people I have ever heard of.
From Mr Habib Khan
Abu Dhabi

Inspiring people
First of all, I would like to congratulate you for accomplishing such a mission. I hope that what you have accomplished will inspire more people — not only Muslims but all people from all walks of life — to help others in their own special way.
From Ms Brix
Baguio City, Philippines

Against all odds
What a great achievement. I am excited and feel proud because it came from an individual who has the means of living a comfortable life. This individual has defied the odds to accomplish what he had set his mind on. Congratulations again and I sincerely hope that people across the world will donate.
From Mr Sameer
Virginia, United States

Quality over quantity
The plight of working mothers is unfortunate but you have to also understand that children need to be regarded as an asset not just to the family but to society as well. It does not make sense that mothers work to support children and the very children they want to bring up are only cared for financially and not emotionally. The only positive thing I think about nannies bringing up children is that children understand the plight of maids.
From Mr Suhaib
Dubai

Leaving children at home
I totally agree that both parents should spend quality time with their children, especially during the early years. But with everything costing so much both parents have to work in order to provide a good quality of life for one’s children. A small example is school fees going up every other year, among other things.
In my opinion it’s time to introduce child care centres in offices in the UAE, so that mothers can keep an eye on their children and spend some time with them as well during various breaks, without feeling guilty about leaving them at home and not spending enough time with them. I am a working mother and every day when I leave for work I feel guilty about leaving my children at home with a nanny.
From A Reader
Sharjah

Spending quality time
It is very important for parents to be involved in bringing up children at an early age. I have a maid who looks after my family quite well but I ensure that I spend quality time with my children when I am back from the office and during my weekends. I am also blessed to have my mother-in-law who supervises my children’s affairs. I see quite a few parents involved in extracurricular activities after office hours instead of using that time to be with their children. I personally am of the opinion that government-certified child care centres should be opened so that families can work without any stress. Even though the cost factor may be an issue it is worth it rather than leaving children in the care of unreliable maids or babysitters.
From Mr Reny Joseph
Dubai

A child is a gift
Nowadays people are concentrating only on earning more money. They think having a nanny is enough to raise their children.
Apart from working women, homemakers also have nannies to take care of their children. This only shows their laziness. A child is a gift and it is our responsibility to raise them to be good people.
From Ms Saranya Arasu
Dubai